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T O P I C R E V I E W

Gordon Reade

The Associated Press reports that the historic aircraft carrier Hornet, docked in Alameda, is in danger of having its electricity cut off tomorrow (May 9, 2005) and could face eviction from its 10-year home at the former Alameda Naval Air Station.

Scott Armanini, CEO of Friends of the Hornet, says he received notice from Alameda Power and Telecom saying power would be cut off Monday if he didn't pay $26,000 in past and current charges.

Armanini also says the city is set to discuss May 17th how to deal with the $500,000 owed by the group in back rent.

City Manager Bill Norton says he thinks it's unlikely the cash-strapped group will be able to pay up, in which case they may be asked to move the ship.

Also, Norton says the federal Maritime Administration wants the Hornet moved for homeland security reasons because it's too close to its ready-reserve fleet. Preparing a new pier for the Hornet could cost a million dollars.

I love visiting the Hornet when ever I have some free time. Now it looks like it might close tomorrow.

Robert Pearlman

The San Francisco Chronicle reports the Hornet has posted sponsorship rights for the carrier on eBay, seeking $1 million for 10 years.

cfreeze79

As a sidenote, the Hornet just got the SH-3 Sea King Helicopter that was used in 'Apollo 13" to play Helo 66. From their newsletter:

We have a new helicopter, we have some new spaces opening up to the public and as always we are looking forward to a busy summer season.

Apollo 13 HelicopterSH-3H SeaKing Bu. No. 148999, last flown in the film "Apollo 13". SeaKings flew from Hornet's decks from 1965 to 1970 in various roles. The SeaKings recovered the Apollo 11 & 12 Astronauts following their lunar landings on the moon.

Gordon Reade

Bay City News reports that the USS Hornet managed to avoid having its electricity cut off Monday but still faces major financial problems, according to Alameda Acting City Manager Bill Norton.

Norton said Hornet officials won a one-week reprieve by paying $6,000 worth of its past and current electricity charges.

But it will face a shutdown again next week if it doesn't come up with another $3,000 by next Monday, he said.

The interesting thing about the Hornet is that it was decommissioned for the last time in 1970. The way you see the ship today is how it was when it recovered the first two Apollo moon landing missions. There have been no modifications and you find reminders of the Apollo missions all over the place.

The last time I was there I was all alone in the Captain's At Sea Cabin and I noticed that on his desk under a plate of glass was a handwritten note by the captain about that day's recovery of Apollo 12. Since no one was around I was tempted to slide back the glass and take the note. It would have been so easy. But I'm happy to say that I didn't commit theft. I thought about it but I didn't do it!

Robert Pearlman

Ten years after becoming a museum (and nearly three years after this thread was started), the fight to preserve Hornet continues. From the San Jose Mercury News (reg. required):

When veterans and history buffs were rallying more than a decade ago to save the USS Hornet and transform it into a floating museum, they displayed a flag above the aircraft carrier's flight deck.

"Don't give up the ship," it said.

The fight is still going on.

Only this time Hornet supporters are trying to increase the number of museum-goers and steer the struggling ship into a strong financial current.

"If we were docked at a pier in San Francisco, there would be plenty of foot traffic and people interested in coming aboard," Stanley said as he sat in his office deep in the heart of the ship. "But just look outside here now. I bet there's no one."

Rodina

A good part of the problem is that the only reason to drive to where the Hornet is, is to see the Hornet. There is zero foot traffic and very little else to do there.

Moonpaws

I have to agree. The old Alameda Air Station is a great place, but unfortunately it lacks what a pier in San Francisco could provide. Not sure what happened to a plan to revitalize the base with businesses. There are a few there, but not the type to bring in shoppers or tourists.

The Wreyford Family Foundation has awarded a $100,000 matching grant to the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, CA. The grant will assist in the museum's relocation effort to move the USS Hornet to San Francisco.

"Our organization is proud to be a partner with the USS Hornet Museum on its relocation plans and believes that this effort will ultimately be as successful as the USS Intrepid and USS Midway are in their own communities," said Deborah A. Wreyford, President, Wreyford Family Foundation.

The Wreyford Family Foundation is a privately funded non-profit organization founded in 2009 by prominent businessman Donald M. Wreyford and his wife Annette. With keen interest in aerospace science, the organization supports The W Foundation and cosponsors the "Navy in Space" exhibit on display during San Francisco Fleet Week.